Machine Embroidery Moodboards - How and Why

We are often asked how we choose colours or themes for our designs and project samples. We always want to encourage you to create your own unique result, but we...

Design Shake Up: Hummingbird Hanger as Shoulder Bag

One of the things we love to do with our designs is find new ways to use them for different projects! Whether it be as simple as a quilt block...

How to DIY the Perfect Easter Decor

With Easter festivities around the corner, you might be planning for family to visit or talking about the Easter Bunny hopping through the home, and if you are anything like...

Embroidery Month Q&A With the Sweet Pea Team

Part of what makes Sweet Pea special is our community - which includes our internal team! Filled with craft lovers and hard workers, we are so proud to have a team...

A Brief History of Machine Embroidery

An ancient craft, the embroidery of long ago is incredibly different to what we see today. Modern embroidery machines have come a long way since their much slower, bulkier counterparts,...

How to Express Yourself with an Embroidery Set

At Sweet Pea, we love a good set! From matching bags and purses, to all the pieces for the perfect picnic, sets are a great way to create a cohesive...

Top 12 Machine Embroidery Designs of 2024

With Christmas right around the corner and the end of the year rapidly approaching, we wanted to reminisce on the year that was, including looking at what designs you liked...

How to Make Wrapping Ecofriendly this Christmas

From using fabric scraps lying around and embroidering a reusable gift box to wrapping with fabric that is part of the gift or sealing with recyclable washi tape, there are...

Top 12 ITH Embroidery Designs

2023 Christmas Gift Ideas Using In the Hoop Machine Embroidery Designs

What better way to spread joy than share the gift of handmade gifts using an embroidery machine? If you have a sewing enthusiast to gift for or are searching for...

Everything You Need for Your Halloween House!

It’s Halloween season! Or at least, it sure feels like it. Even down under the spooky season has hit full speed and we’re enjoying PSLs and pumpkins all around. Before...

How to Get into Machine Embroidery on a Budget

Machine embroidery is an amazing hobby (yes, we’re a little biased) but it can be expensive to get started! However, there are ways to save money while still getting the...

How to Understitch Lining in Embroidery and Sewing Projects

Understitching keeps all the seams together, in the same direction, held by stitching on the edge of the lining seam. Having the seams all pointing the same way prevents the...

Customer Showcase: Jacket Embroidery

A great thing about our embroidery is how versatile it can be. One thing we love doing is using embroidery on clothing and perhaps most commonly, on a good denim...

Christmas in July: Embroidered Snow Globe Ornaments

In Australia, the weather has really cooled down, and we are feeling a little festive! Even for our southern hemisphere family, while the weather may be warm, you may already...

Customer Showcase: Cassie and Jack Hangers

One of our favourite designs has to be Cassie the Crazy Crafter. And we were so excited to release her partner, Jack of All Trades, as the trades lover to...

8 Machine Embroidery Beginner Must Haves [Infographic]

Whether you are thinking about getting into machine embroidery or have a machine and don't know what to do next, there are a few key items that will give you...

How to Use Scrap Thread and Fabric

It’s not uncommon to end up with lots of fabric scraps and bits of thread when machine embroidering. It feels like a lot of waste but it doesn’t have to...

How to Use Printable Fabric in Frames

Machine embroidery offers a wide world of ideas, and one we love to implement in our designs is the use of photos! We do this by using inkjet printable fabrics,...

File Sorting - How to quickly separate and sort embroidery files

How to Use Windows Search to Find Your Files Faster Separating a specific embroidery file type (.pes, .vp3, jef etc..) can be time-consuming, but Windows has a helpful feature in File...

Windows File Associations

In Windows, file associations determine which applications open specific types of files based on their file extensions. For example, .txt files are usually associated with Notepad, so when you double-click...

Using Stabiliser in the Hoop - Tips to Stop Designs Puckering

When tackling a new machine embroidery project it is always important to have the right equipment and material on hand. For those of you who have done a little bit...

How to Insert a Zipper Into a Bag

I have been asked a lot lately on how we insert zippers into our bags. We have found this method to be easy and it gives a nice tidy result. Let's...

Pressing Tips When Using PU Leather in Machine Embroidery

PRESSING UN-PRESSABLE FABRIC Helpful when doing Flip and Fold techniques Some fabrics we use can’t be pressed with an iron. So, we use a “dolly” (a tightly rolled wad of...

Appliqué, Embroider, Embellish it!

Putting a personal touch into your wardrobe is not just fun, it puts a little more personality into what you're wearing everyday. It's also wonderful to receive new clothes, but...

Hearts & Swirls Table Runner Design

Our Hearts and Swirls Table runner is an enchanting design released in January 2018, just in time to celebrate Valentine's Day. This Table Runner is a great way to decorate...

How to Find and Download Design Files

All your downloads will be available in your account click here: https://swpea.com/apps/downloads/orders/ and login to your account. You can access your download from the top right corner of the website. Just...

Organising Thread for Big Embroidery Projects – Project Hacks

Machine embroidery is making use of a sewing machine or specialty embroidery machine to create freeform stitched designs or personal patterns onto assorted materials. These designs are digitised computer files...

Christmas Star Table Runner design

It’s never too early or too late to get projects made for Christmas. There is also something to special and nostalgic about homemade gifts, decor or decorations for the festive...

Make Your Own Hanging Mobile In The Hoop

A mobile is a type of moving sculpture constructed to take advantage of gravity and wind. It consists of a number of rods, string, chains or rope, from which objects...

Raw Edge Feather Placemat Design

Similar to traditional appliqué, Raw Edge Appliqué is a technique which involves two or more pieces of shaped fabric, combined with embroidery to create a design. ​The difference is that...

Succulent & Cacti Table Runner Design

Succulents and Cacti have always been a favourite among plants, they are hardy by nature. There is a wide variety of colour, size and shape to these delightful little plants...

Log Cabin Quilting

What is a Log Cabin Quilt? A log cabin quilt, or log cabin quilt block, is one of the most popular traditional quilt patterns and is pieced together using strips...

How to stop breaking thread?

Threadaches are something to be avoided at all costs when trying to enjoy a good stitch out session. Over the years we have had many, many comments in our online...

How to make a Binding?

What is Quilt Binding? Quilt binding is the finishing touch to a quilt. It is the fabric used cover the outer edges of a quilt and keeps the edges intact...

Hoop Sizes and Embroidery (Stitching) Field

Ever wondered why your machine embroidery hoop sizes are different to the actual size they will stitch? Jungle Growth Chart design - Chameleon block When you first begin machine embroidery,...

Mug Rug Inspirations & Sweet Pea Freebies

We just love our mug rug designs! Not only are they fun to make, they're exceptionally functional and make great gifts. In addition to sharing some of our new and...

Machine Embroidery Terms Glossary

Bookmark this blog for all the major embroidery terms you need to know!  When you first get into machine embroidery, wrapping your head around everything can get a little bit...

Framing your Embroidery Projects

Once you have completed your projects, what better way to really appreciate your work than to frame and display them? Sometimes it is a project that you have started, but...

Helpful tips when using leather for machine embroidery projects.

Mandala Tote Bag Design The idea of using leather for a machine embroidery project can be off-putting for many people. It can be a challenging and frustrating material to work...

How Much Stabiliser Do I Need to Cut for My Hoop?

For many years, I worked in commercial embroidery and the waste factor with stabiliser was exceptionally low. It was all about “unit cost” and the ability to keep manufacturing stateside...

Fabric Choices for Butterfly Embroidery Designs

Sweet Pea's May sew along in 2020 featured this beautiful Butterfly Table Runner design Sweet Pea's Butterfly Table Runner Design We used fabrics from a few different Kaffe Fassett ranges.You...

Why isn't there a thread colour chart with our designs?

One of our commonly asked questions is “Where is the thread colour chart?”, when we digitize our designs the designers have a rough idea of what colours they would like...

From Scrappy to Happy - making the most of your fabric scraps

Handmade from the Heart Tote Bag blocks by Blanca H Sanchez made from old jeans In a room filled with neatly folded fabrics and colour coordinated threads, you don't often...

Using Embroidery Designs on Clothes

Just starting out in the world of In The Hoop Machine Embroidery, and being surrounded by very talented and creative people, I was itching to test my hand at a...

How to Sew Hexagon Quilt Blocks Together

The earliest hexagon pattern that quilt researchers have discovered was made in England in 1770. Hexagon became one of the most popular patterns in England by 1830, and by 1835...

You can help our Australian animals that have been injured by the Australian Bushfires

Australian Animal Table runner machine embroidery 'in the hoop' designindigenous animals from left to right - the quoka, the emu, the bilby, the kookaburra and the wombat. Our beautiful Australian...

Making a Zipper Pocket in the Lining of a Bag

Zipper pockets are amazing. A little spot to pop your keys, phone or little odds and ends that you need to reach without having to do a one handed deep...

No Place Like Gnome - Stuffed Gnome Ornaments. Community Stories.

If you are in the Sweet Pea machine embroidery group you would already be familiar with these cute little gnomes. We asked you to take these little ones out and...

Top 10 DIY Christmas Gifts Made ITH

Want to make something from the heart? Our In The Hoop designs make perfect DIY Christmas gifts. Here are our top 10: 1. Christmas Cuties Cutlery Holders This adorable little...

Top 5 Reasons to Quilt With Your Embroidery Machine

We may be a bit biased, but we think making your quilt with a machine is a great idea! But you don't have to just take our word for it,...

No Place Like Gnome Competition

Inspired by one of our wonderful Admins Rita Wetzel and also some great pictures by customer Cathy Begin-Nielsen, we are having a fun little interactive competition with our latest Stuffed...

How to Sew Mitered Corners

November Sew-Along Design - Patchwork Christmas Tree A mitered corner is quite a simple technique, however, you will need to practise this a couple of times to really master it!...

Everybody get Thrifty

Keeping a great stash without the guilts Sweet Pea Head Quarters fabric stash 2019 💕 We all know the thrill and joy from walking through the doors of your favourite...

Dia de los Muertos Day of the Dead 'in the hoop' machine embroidery designs

bright colours and movement What is Dia de los Muertos? Australia is long, long way away from South America. Aussies looking for exotic adventures travel there. We hear the rhythmic...

What is Washi Tape & What do you do with it.

Washi tape is a cheap, easy-to-find, and super useful tape that has taken the craft and embroidery world by storm! But what is this washi tape, anyway? Washi tape can...

How to reformat a USB Drive

USB drives may need to be formatted different ways to be used by different devices, if you find the USB isn't working on your embroidery machine I would highly recommend...

Quilting Continuous and Square Quilted Designs

By guest blogger Rita Wetzel Introduction You can use Sweet Pea’s Continuous Designs and Square Quilted Designs to transform a traditionally pieced top into a beautiful quilted runner, wall hanging,...

Machine Embroidery Cruise - February 2020

We have been invited to do more classes on Sew and Sail’s next cruise in Feb 2020 to the Caribbean. If you missed out on the Alaskan cruise this might...

Australian Flowers Cushion- machine embroidery , in the hoop design

When I first saw the Australian Flowers cushion I was immediately struck by the embroidery. Even though I am not familiar with the flowers themselves (I have visited Australia but...

Egg-cellent Easter Embroidery In the Hoop.

Make this Easter special with unique gifts and bright easter decor the whole family can enjoy. We also have beautiful machine embroidery mug rugs and placemats, made in the hoop,...

Seth The Sloth- in the hoop, machine embroidery design

When I saw Seth The Sloth earlier this year, I knew I just had to make one. He’s very cute, isn’t he? It seems I’m not alone in liking sloths:...

Jingle all the way with this Christmas Mantel Runner made in the hoop, machine embroidery design

“Jingle bells, jingle bells…” I think you know the rest… Yes, it’s almost that time of year (at least according to the supermarkets it is!). In the UK, the colder...

November Sew-a-long, Christmas Star Table Runner , in the hoop machine embroidery design

Welcome to Sweet Pea’s November Christmas Sew-a-long – Sponsored by Sulky of America. This sew-a-long will run from 5th to 26th November 2018 (11.59 pm Australian time) To join this...

Combining Sweet Pea Designs - Freeform Table Runner to Tote Bag

If you’re looking to embroider a table runner, a wall hanger, or a quilt, Sweet Pea has a vast array of sizes, shapes, and designs. The same goes for purses and...

Freeform Table Runner 2 Machine Embroidery Design

I have long been a fan of Sweet Pea designs having first met Allison and Annette at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, UK in 2015. I’ve made a fair...

Sweet Pea's Awesome August Sew-a-long

This sew-a-long will run for 3 weeks…6th August - 24th August 2018 (Australian time) CLICK HERE TO JOIN DISCOUNT CODE will be released on the 6th of August in the...

Understanding Hoop Sizes In Machine Embroidery

Introduction When it comes to numbers, we live in two different worlds. Some of us view numbers through a millimeter/centimeter/meter lens. And some of us view them through an inches/feet/yards...

Quick and Easy to Make Gifts Using Scraps

This month has been unusually busy with the day job taking up most weekends and evenings away from home in hotels. It isn’t always like this, but as a result...

How to Quilt in the Hoop With Your Embroidery Machine

Did you know over a third of quilters own an embroidery machine, and about one-third also do embroidery on quilt tops? Your embroidery machine can now do much more than...

A Day in Dubai With Sweet Pea

After a long 14 hour flight, we arrived at our first stop DUBAI! It was 5am and we were ready to see Dubai for the day. Of course we had...

Sweet Pea's April Sew-a-long. Abstract Flowers Sponsored by Marathon Threads Australia- NOW FINISHED

NOW FINISHED - click photo below to watch video https://youtu.be/rErXi7yevhM Congratulations to everyone who submitted an Abstract Flower design. This was probably the hardest decision to date. To decide we...

How Much Fabric Do I Need?

One of the most often asked questions is “How much fabric do I need?” The answer is “It depends.” It depends on the block size. It depends on the size...

The History of Machine Embroidery

For those of us that see and use advanced sewing and embroidery machines on a regular basis, it’s easy to forget the humble beginnings from which the craft began. Here...

Sweet Pea Machine Embroidery Designs Cutting Files Disclaimer

Sweet Pea Machine Embroidery Designs Cutting Files Disclaimer. The .svg and .fcm cutting files that Sweet Pea Machine Embroidery Designs provides with designs are free. As they are free we...

Positive and Negative Space in Design

When creating or editing designs in machine embroidery it is important to remember that what we are engaging in an artistic process. Even those of you that embroider as an...

Machine Embroidery Storage Tips

As you continue to delve deeper and deeper into your machine embroidery hobby (or obsession) the more you may encounter one particular issue getting a little bit out of hand.....

Sweet Pea's March Sew-a-long. Easter Flag Sponsored by Robison-Anton Threads.

Welcome to Sweet Pea’s March Sew-a-long- now finished 3 weeks…1st to 22nd March 2018 (Australian time) To join this, sew-a-long we ask that you agree to stitch out the design...

Why Imperfect Quilts Are Beautiful

It is easy to forget for those of us that may have been quilting for years or even decades, that quilting is a learned skill. We do not come into...

Sweet Pea’s February Sew-a-long, JOIN NOW! Machine Embroidery fun!

Welcome to Sweet Pea’s February Sew-a-long 2 weeks…2nd to 16th February (Australian time) To join this, sew-a-long we ask that you agree to stitch out the design Daisy Table Runner...

Maintaining Your Embroidery Machine

Today we are going to talk about something that doesn’t always get thought about until it’s too late- maintenance. If you are anything like me, quite often you won’t think...

How to Share Links on Facebook in 5 Easy Steps

Want to share your favourite Sweet Pea designs on Facebook ? Here are the 5 easy steps on how to share Sweet Pea Products/links on Facebook Note: On the sample...

How to cut Sweet Pea Appliqué Pieces with Freezer Paper Sandwiches on the ScanNCut

Did you know that in addition to receiving multiple formats for multiple hoop sizes with Sweet Pea Designs, you also receive .fcm and .svg files for your cutting machines? I...

Top 10 Machine Embroidery Tips For People Just Starting

When beginning a new hobby of any kind often it will be the first instinct of any person to jump right in and get started, especially with something as fun...

Mystery Medallion Quilt

Starting on the 10th of January at 10am Brisbane, Australia time. The Medallion BOM sew along quilt 4x4 5x5 6x6 and 7x7 in the hoop machine embroidery design. Each month...

Crewel Embroidery - made in the hoop on embroidery machine.

Traditional methods Crewel Embroidery is a traditional form of embroidery using wool. It was very popular in Britain in the 17th Century. Traditionally it is a free form type of...

12 Days of Christmas - Machine Embroidery Discounts- 12 individual codes for 12 individual days- offer finished

The twelve days of Christmas have been around for a long time, and there have been many different versions, both silly and heartfelt created since its inception. There is no...

Gift Vouchers- how to purchase and redeem

Shopping for someone else but not sure what to give them? Give them the gift of choice with a Sweet Pea Machine Embroidery Designs Gift Card. https://swpea.com/collections/gift-voucher Gift vouchers are...

Tips for using metallic thread with an embroidery machine.

Metallic thread is a magical way to add glimmer and shine to embroidery projects, however using these delightful threads can be much of a threadache if you haven't used them...

Top 5 reasons for thread breakage when using an embroidery machine.

There are a number of reasons thread can break in an embroidery machine, ranging from the age of the thread to the maintenance of the machine. When a thread continues...

Sweet Pea's November 2017 Sew-a-Long- The Winners are..

Congratulations to all the winners, could you please contact us at sweetpeanash@gmail.com to claim your prize :) Welcome to Sweet Pea's NOVEMBER Sew-a-long It will run for 2 weeks…18TH NOVEMBER...

Halloween : Easy and Quick ' in the hoop' Machine Embroidery designs

Halloween is more than costumes and candy In this modern world we live in, it is very easy to become complacent to tradition and merely accept the consumerism that is...

History of Thanksgiving

Please click any image to see the design details Scarecrow Placemat / Table runner design It's the festive season and its opportunity to celebrate with family and companions. Thanksgiving is...

Get control of your handbags and totes with this Bag Insert design, made in the hoop.

The Perfect Partner for your Sweet Pea Tote Bags This is a bag insert for you which you can use to use to move things from one tote bag to...

Choosing the Right Stabiliser

When tackling a new machine embroidery project it is always important to have the right equipment and material on hand. We have already discussed the importance of choosing the right...

Sweet Pea Sew-a-long Challenge -August The Winners

Each month we will choose a 1st Place , 2nd and 3rd Place winners ( plus 4th, 5th and 6th) At the end of the 3 sew-a-longs we will have...

Sweet Pea’s favourite beach trips in Summer

Beach trips Summer is approaching fast here in the Southern Hemisphere and it’s already getting hot in Queensland, Australia. This is the perfect time to start planning some beach trips...

Machine Embroidery Twist on Sashiko Quilting

Sashiko Sashiko was a style of functional embroidery developed in Japan and used as early as the 17th century, which was very popular with the peasant class. Traditionally the style...

Sweet Pea Sew-a-Long Challenge - JULY 'The Winners'

Each month we will choose a 1st Place , 2nd and 3rd Place winners ( plus 4th, 5th and 6th) At the end of the 3 sew-a-longs we will have...

Choosing the right needle for machine embroidery

Choosing the right needle for a machine embroidery project doesn’t have to be a daunting prospect. Many an embroidery enthusiast may have avoided becoming a hysterical mess while attempting to...

World Vision charity " Worry monster zipper purse" in the hoop machine embroidery design

The Worry Monster machine embroidery design is Sweet Pea’s second charity design. All proceeds from sales of this design will go to World Vision to purchase classroom furniture to set...

How to take perfect photos of your Machine Embroidery project.

One of our previous sewalongs was this beautiful Tassel Bag Design ...Today I thought I would share with you some handy tips in presenting your finished bag in the best...

Coloring with Sweet Pea's in the hoop , machine embroidery Designs

by guest blogger Rita Wetzel Coloring is fun for all ages - young, old, and in between. It’s one of the first creative outlets we have as young children. More...

Link between the "Yolo" bag and the Red Hat Society.

Recently, a number of you may have encountered a file on Sweetpea that can be used to create an ITH (In the Hoop) tote bag embroidery design featuring a wild-hearted...

How to insert a zipper in an "in the hoop" machine embroidery zipper purse

"In the Hoop" embroidery designs can sometimes be daunting when inserting a zipper. I know that I thought I would struggle with inserting a zipper in the beginning. At Sweet...

Christmas in July

2017 SEW-A-LONG CHALLENGE-SEPTEMBER - the WINNERS

Welcome to Sweet Pea 's 2017 SEW-A-LONG CHALLENGE CLOSED ALL OUR TIMES ARE IN AUSTRALIAN TIME ZONE https://countingdownto.com/countdown/sweet-pea-september-sew-a-long-finishes-30-september-2017-countdown-clock Fabulous Prizes provided by Echidna Sewing Capalaba Brisbane Join us for the...

How to make a Scallop Edge

Scallop Edge Instructions © by Sandy Kiester USA - April 2017 Photos provided by Mia Swafford Items used in preparing to mark and stitch a scallop edge. Spray adhesive, pencil...

Basic Supplies for In The Hoop Embroidery

by guest blogger Rita Wetzel Whether you are new to embroidery, a long time embroiderer or somewhere in between, having basic supplies at your fingertips will minimize frustrations while working...

The Winners of our March Easter Sew-a-long

What a wonderful group we have had for our March Sew-a-long. It is by far the largest group we have ever had at 4265 members. Thank you to everyone who...

Easter Competition- Win a $100 Sweet Pea gift voucher and the winner is .....

Guess how many yummy Chocolate Easter eggs there are in the vase before Emma and Alyssa eat them all. We had 1705 entries and our 222nd entry received had the...

How to trim applique on your in the hoop machine embroidery project

A well trimmed applique can be the difference between a good project and a fantastic one. Applique in your Sweet Pea project The applique used in our Sweet Pea in...

February Sew-a-long, in the hoop, machine embroidery ( now finished)

It is love month @ Sweet Pea so it is fitting that our sew-a-long project this month is our new release the "Heart Patchwork Bag" It is a fabulous handbag...

January Sew-a-long, in the hoop, machine embroidery "The Winners"

Fantastic sew-a-long group What a wonderful group we have had for our January Sew-a-long. It is by far the largest group we have ever had at 3698 members. This group...

How to edit your post in a facebook group

So now you have made your Facebook post and you want to edit it. You have posted in the group and you may now want to enter the photo of...

How to post a photo in a Facebook group

Sweet Pea Machine Embroidery Facebook group Being a member of Sweet Pea's Facebook group is a lot of fun. It is a great way to keep up to date with...

Sweet Pea Koala Adventures- photo competiton- NOW FINISHED

New Koala design Cute stuffed toy koala in the hoop 6x10 machine embroidery design. There is a girl version and a boy version included. They are very quick and easy...

Fairy Pocket Bag made in the hoop machine embroidery

This is a design for an amazing bag with pockets on the front where three little fairies live. The fairies are all made in the hoop. There are three different...

Boxing Day in Australia

What on earth is boxing day? Typically in Australia Boxing day is the recovery day after Christmas, the day that Aussies pull out their lilos/ banana lounges and lay back...

December sew-a-long, the winners

The sew-a-long design the Flower Sewing Kit Once again we have had a ton of fun in the December sew-a-long. Many of us have been super busy stitching out Christmas...

Learn how to do 'in the hoop' FREE puppy zipper purse

Learn how to do in the hoop free puppy purse comes in three hoop sizes 4x4, 5x5 and 6x6. This design comes with very detailed instructions and will teach you...

2016 Christmas Competition 

So many wonderful entries We have had a very tough time picking a winner from all the wonderful entries . Each and every one of them look festive and unique....

Christmas Holly 'in the hoop' machine embroidery designs

Holly and greenery at Christmas Christmas will be here soon and many of us will be decorating our homes with beautiful bright Christmas plants. Some of the Christmas plants include...

The Colouring in Craze for Embroidery, an Anti-Stress Remedy.

Simply sitting and clearing your mind can be relaxing, away from today’s technology and fast paced environment. Sometimes we just need an escape to relax our mind and wind down....

2016 Sweet Pea Christmas Sew-a-long Winners

Thank you to everyone who participated in our first ever Christmas Sew-a-Long. We are blown away by the interest in this sew-a-long and have loved the enthusiasm everyone has shown....

Machine embroidery, using heat to tidy stray fibres.

Now we don't usually recommend playing with fire or heat but it is a sure fire (pardon the pun) way to get rid of those pesky stray fibres that seem...

Quick and Easy Christmas Machine Embroidery Designs made 'in the hoop'

In a blink of an eye Christmas 2016 will be upon us. If you haven't already started thinking about decorations for your home or even some lovely personalised Christmas gifts...

Using Mylar in Machine Embroidery

What is Mylar Mylar is the trademarked name of a Du Pont product - it is a very strong polyester film that was developed in the 1950s. It is because...

History of the Advent Calendar

Advent is the season of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of Christmas. Why not buy, or even better, create your very own Advent calendar this season. The tradition...

All the Christmas decorations you need ‘in the hoop’ machine embroidery designs.

Have some fun this Christmas with your very own unique Christmas decorations and gifts that will make you the envy of your friends and family. Get creative and pick your...

History of Jane Stickle's “Dear Jane” Quilt.

What is the Dear Jane Quilt? Jane A. Stickle started creating the quilt during the civil war, completed over 169 blocks in 1863. The sampler quilt comprised of ‘169 square...

Dresden Plate Quilt ...in modern 'in the hoop' machine embroidery.

History of the Dresden Plate Quilt What is the Dresden Plate? The Dresden plate is blocks of fabric appliqued into a radiating petal pattern, representing a beautiful flower. As more...

The Spooky designs of Sweet Pea .. in the hoop, Machine Embroidery.

Based on true events... Every neighborhood has a house.... different from the rest...... Sweet Pea machine embroidery designs " Halloween" Collection http://swpea.com/search?q=halloween

"Drunkard's Path" quilt - machine embroidery 'in the hoop'

Sweet Pea's "Drunkard's Path" quilt design Such an odd name to give to a very beautiful quilt design. Our "Drunkard's Path " quilt design may have an ugly name but...

Spring Designs... 'in the hoop' Machine Embroidery

Whilst our Northern friends are heading into their Season of Fall / Autumn we in the Southern hemisphere are about to Spring into our warmer months. We are thinking about...

The Pros and Cons of Buying a Used Embroidery Machine

Trying to look for the perfect machine to fit in with your creative needs? A used machine could be the perfect option to create unique complicated and simple designs. The...

Gnomes made in the hoop,machine embroidery design

Peter and Poppy the Sweet Pea Gnomes Peter and Poppy are a pair of gorgeous stuffed toy dolls sewn ITH in the hoop machine embroidery design. It comes in three...

Determining Fabric Requirements: 'Blocks'

Making quilts is such an individual thing, there are so many variables. It's therefore impossible for us to give total fabric requirements in our designs. The easiest way for you...

Getting your home ready for Fall... tips for choosing Fall Colors

Choosing Colours.... there is no better a Season to decorate than Fall. Choosing colours is so easy as Nature provides all the clues. Fall is the beginning of cooler weather...

need inspiration for your next 'In the Hoop' project?

Every week we see fabulous photos of what our customers have been busy making with our ' In the Hoop' designs. Are you struggling for inspiration? Need colour inspiration? Or...

Redwork..then and now : modern machine embroidery designs

What is Redwork? Redwork is an old form of embroidery that can be traced back to Eastern Europe in the early 19th Century. Thread was dyed red and was the...

How to Download Embroidery Designs

Below is a how to guide on downloading embroidery designs for all embroidery machines. All your downloads will be available in your account click here: https://swpea.com/apps/downloads/orders/ and login to your...

Sweet Baby Bags

Our most popular diaper bag would easily be the 'Australian Animals" bag This is a design for an amazing bag with pockets on the front where three little stuffed animals...

How do I change the US dollar currency shown on the website to my own currency?

Sweet Pea's checkout is in US dollars but you can easily change the prices shown to your own currency using our 'currency selector' at the top of our website. Whilst...

Diamonds In Stripes Table Runner , machine embroidery ( in the hoop) video

http://swpea.com/products/diamonds-in-stripes-quilt-block-and-table-runner-4x4-5x5-6x6-7x7-in-the-hoop-machine-embroidery

Machine Embroidery In The Hoop ( ITH) Table Runner

Diamonds in Stripes Table Runner design This is a Patchwork runner with all the blocks made in the 4x4 5x5 6x6 or 7x7 hoop. This is a machine embroidery design....

Too beautiful for words

The " Drunkards Path" block and quilt design. This is a really beautiful quilt which could be done in many different layouts. The design comes in four different sizes -...

Spring inspired quilt. "Floral Plates "machine embroidery design

Our beautiful "Floral Plates " quilt. The blocks are all made in the hoop on an embroidery machine . This beautiful quilt comes in three different sizes - 5x5, 6x6...

How to do 'in the hoop' Wedding Ring blocks

Today I would like to share with you our beautiful Wedding Rings Quilt and Block design. The Double Wedding Ring pattern first came to prominence during the great depression The...

Need Inspiration for your next Sweet Pea Machine Embroidery project?

an easy way to be inspired is to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. In it we announce our weekly Project of the Week Competition Winner and we also include many...

Basket of Bunting

In the hoop machine embroidery designs Alphabet Bunting and add on designs available at swpea. http://swpea.com/search?q=Bunting

Using Kam Snaps

KAM snaps are a very quick and easy way to apply fasteners to a project. They can made of a strong and durable type of plastic or metal. The requirements...

Inserting a pocket into the lining of a bag

You can make a simple pocket to put on the lining of your Bag /tote as large or small as you like and it will vary depending on the size...

Stay up to date with Sweet Pea's Latest Releases

have you been missing the latest Sweet Pea Design releases??? an easy way to never miss out on what's new is to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Its easy to...

Inserting a zipper into your tote bag

I have been asked a lot lately on how we insert zippers into our bags. We have found this method to be easy and it gives a nice tidy result....

Decorating for the Fall Season

The Fall Leaves Quilt Block and Table Runner ... Here are a couple of examples of some of the lovely work by two of our Face book members https://www.facebook.com/groups/1376828489304731/ this...

HOW TO PIN FOR PERFECT POINTS IN QUILTS AND QUILTED PRODUCTS.

So you have lovingly made your quilt blocks... you have carefully chosen your fabrics, procrastinated over colour choices and worked out the best layout for your design. Now comes the...

Welcome to my blog

I am Allison Nash and I am the owner of Sweet Pea Machine Embroidery Designs. I am also the head designer, the only designer in fact. Why only have the...

What is “in the hoop”?

In the hoop projects are ones that are made with an embroidery machine. The item you are embroidering on is made ‘in the hoop’ by laying down the fabric compared...

How to sew FSL free standing lace.

How to sew Free Standing Lace also known as FSL by www.swpea.com There really is nothing hard about it once you know the basics and have the right equipment. The...